On occasion we are fortunate enough to be asked to be part of a truly awe-inspiring project that changes the overall feeling of a community and brings excitement and life to an otherwise tired and dated park. This is exactly the case when we were asked in 2013 to be part of the team tasked to makeover Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, CA.

The existing 30,000 square foot play area was one that had dated back to the early 1990’s and was in need of a major renovation to bring it to current code compliance and to bring the fun back. Heather Farm Park is the largest public park in the City of Walnut Creek inclusive of an Aquatic Complex, Tennis Center, Skate Park, ball fields as well as lakes with walking trails throughout the park. The City wanted a truly unique, destination playground that also offered fully inclusive play for children of all abilities. What came of this dream is the newly constructed All Abilities Playground at Heather Farm Park that opened in October, 2014!

Starting in 2013, Carolyne Challice, Architect with the City of Walnut Creek began to envision what a new All Abilities Playground would look like and how it could best cater to the City and the surrounding communities who call the park home. With the added support of landscape architect Brian Kilian of Borrecco/Kilian & Associates, Ms. Challice reached out to 3 different manufacturers and began getting ideas for the space. Through this process they chose Miracle PlaySystems to design and supply the equipment that would sit at the center of this special park. The custom designed playgrounds by Miracle Recreation & HAGS, along with the rocks, boulders & fallen trees by Rocks & Ropes as well as the special shade structures throughout the play area by Sun Ports all work to add the exciting space.

Miracle Playsystems team of sales representatives & designers, were able to help the City through the design process to ensure the new playgrounds would work to serve kids of all abilities. This is seen throughout the park with the ramps which allow for a child in a wheelchair to access the playground from ground level up to a 6’ elevated level enabling all kids to experience the thrill of play!

From the opening in October there has already been a huge benefit to the community; the city has commented on how popular the park is and how many more people are using the park then before. By drawing in more families and children, the park has more than accomplished what the city set out to do. Not only has this renovation transformed the park, but it has re-excited the community. Now the City’s biggest problem is how to accommodate all the people who swarm to this park each day. A fun problem to have!